Externally adjustable gun sight

ABSTRACT

An adjustable holographic gun sight has a base and a carrier pivotally connected to the base. An adjustment mechanism may be adapted to pivot the carrier with respect to the base. A pair of dropouts connects the carrier to the base and the dropouts allow the carrier to pivot with respect to the base. The dropouts may be mounted to an external portion of the carrier and the base thereby provides for external adjustment of the gun sight.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/150,486, filed Apr. 21, 2015, the entire content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a holographic image apparatus for use with a weapon. More specifically, the present invention relates to a holographic image apparatus having external adjustment capabilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Holographic gun sights are well known. Adjusting a holographic gun sight for windage and elevation, however, has presented many challenges. Adjustment is required to align the positioning of the reconstructed reticle and to compensate for various weapon types and targeting procedures. Existing systems have drawbacks. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to provide alternative and improved designs for windage and elevation adjustment for holographic gun sights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally directed towards a sight assembly for mounting to a gun. The sight assembly may have one or more of the features discussed herein. Some examples include an optical path with a carrier for a Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) wherein a diode (specifically a wavelength stable light source in the present embodiment, however, other stabilities including mechanical, brightness, . . . etc. could be utilized) is used as the virtual image construction source (or real image). The optical path may utilize mirrors or lenses. The H.O.E., the diode, and the mirror may be fixed in an angular relationship with respect to one another but may be adjusted either together or individually in a horizontal or vertical (elevation or windage) direction. In the present embodiment, the H.O.E. assembly may be mounted on a carrier. The carrier is adjustable with respect to a base. A windage adjustment assembly may adjust the windage of the carrier with respect to the base. Similarly, an elevation adjustment assembly may adjust the elevation of the carrier with respect to the base.

An adjustable holographic gun sight according to one embodiment of this invention may comprise a base configured to attach to a weapon, a carrier pivotally connected to the base, an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism adapted to pivot the carrier with respect to the base. The embodiment may have a pair of dropouts connecting the carrier to the base. The dropouts allow the carrier to pivot with respect to the base and may be mounted to an external portion of the carrier. The base thereby provides for an external adjustment of the gun sight.

The adjustment mechanism may include an elevation adjustment assembly operable to pivot the carrier about a generally horizontal axis by tipping a front end of the carrier upwards or downwards with respect to the base. The adjustable holographic gun sight may have at least one spring positioned adjacent to the adjustment mechanism to bias the carrier in a downward direction toward the base. One or more ball bearings may be disposed between the carrier and the base. The adjustment mechanism may include a windage adjustment assembly operable to pivot the carrier about a generally vertical axis with respect to the base.

According to another feature of the present invention the weapon sight may comprise a stationary nut connected to the carrier, a floating nut abutting a portion of the base and a shaft in communication with the stationary nut that is engaging the floating nut for adjusting the position of the floating nut relative to the stationary nut. The carrier may have a hood housing a Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) and the hood may comprise at least one protective lens spaced apart from the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) whereby the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) remains functional even if one of the protective lenses is removed or broken.

A pair of dropouts may be provided externally connecting the carrier to the base. The dropouts may allow the carrier to pivot with respect to the base when either the windage adjustment assembly or the elevation adjustment assembly is utilized. The dropouts provide for external adjustment, i.e. providing for increased freedom of movement and simplified structural requirements. The external adjustment is advantageous in that it allows for the internal optics elements, which are sensitive in nature, to remain fixed in place, relative to each other and/or the carrier, once assembled. Accordingly, the external adjustment allows for no distortion of optics, including the reticle, since this system is independent from the adjustments. The external adjustments allow the apparatus to be more robust as compared to an internal adjustment. The dropouts may be arranged in communication with a plurality of ball bearings and corresponding springs allowing the carrier to easily pivot with respect to the base at the dropouts.

The adjustable holographic gun sight may have one or more dropouts with a projection extending generally orthogonally inwardly and adapted to connect with the base. Each of the dropouts may be connected with an opposing side of the base. The base may comprise two flexible receiving assemblies and each flexible receiving assembly may have at least one ball bearing and at least one spring. Each dropout may have a projection extending generally orthogonally inwardly and be adapted to engage the at least one ball bearing of a respective one of the flexible receiving assemblies. Each spring may bias one of the ball bearings toward the projection and thereby facilitate pivoting of the carrier with respect to the base and also facilitate the carrier to flex relative to the base such that the carrier pivots about a generally vertical axis.

Another embodiment of the present invention may comprise a base configured to attach to a weapon and a carrier pivotally connected to the base. A hood may be mounted to the base, the hood adapted to contain an Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) and the hood having at least one protective lens spaced apart from the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.), whereby the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) remains functional even if one of the protective lenses is removed or broken.

According to another feature of this embodiment, the hood may have an indentation adapted to hold the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.). The Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) may be held within a Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) carrier, and the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) carrier may rest at least partially in the indentation of the hood. The adjustable holographic gun sight may have two protective lens spaced apart on opposing sides of the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.), whereby the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) remains functional even if one of the protective lenses is removed or broken.

According to yet another embodiment of this invention, an adjustable holographic gun sight may comprise a base having a lower surface, an upper surface, and a flexible receiving assembly. The lower surface is configured to engage a weapon. The carrier may have a lower surface and two opposing side surfaces, the lower surface of the carrier being disposed near the upper surface of the base. A pair of dropouts may be connected to the side surfaces of the carrier, which may extend down to pivotally connect the two opposing side surfaces of the carrier to the base and allow the carrier to pivot about a generally horizontal axis with respect to the base. At least one of the dropouts may have a projection extending generally orthogonally inwardly and adapted to engage the flexible receiving assembly, thereby facilitating the carrier to flex relative to the base such that the carrier pivots about a generally vertical axis.

The gun sight may have an elevation adjustment assembly operable to pivot the carrier about the generally horizontal axis with respect to the base and a windage adjustment assembly operable to pivot the carrier about the generally vertical axis with respect to the base. The flexible receiving assembly may comprise at least one ball bearing engaging the projection and at least one spring biasing the at least one ball bearing toward the projection. The projection may have at least one indentation adapted to engage with the at least one ball bearing. Alternately, the flexible receiving assembly may have at least two ball bearings and at least two springs with each spring biasing one of the ball bearings toward the projection for connecting the projection with the base. In an alternate embodiment, the base may comprise two flexible receiving assemblies, wherein each projection has at least one indentation adapted to connect with the ball bearings and each projection is connected with the base through one of the flexible receiving assemblies.

The adjustable holographic gun sight may have at least one spring positioned adjacent to the elevation adjustment assembly to bias the carrier in a downward direction toward the base. The adjustable holographic gun sight may further comprise at least one ball bearing disposed between the carrier and the base. An exemplary embodiment of the windage adjustment assembly may further comprise a stationary nut, a shaft, a floating nut and a drive key, wherein the stationary nut is connected to one side surface of the carrier. The stationary nut may be engaged with the shaft and the shaft engaged to the drive key, the drive key disposed near the opposing side surface of the carrier. The shaft may engage the floating nut and the drive key may be operable to rotate the shaft and the floating nut abutting a portion of the base such that the rotation of the drive key causes transverse movement of floating nut which pivotally moves the carrier with respect to the base about the generally vertical axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the gun sight of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an alternative exploded view of the gun sight of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the gun sight;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 3 of the gun sight;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the gun sight;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line J-J of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the gun sight along the line B-B of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a top cutaway view of the gun sight before adjustment;

FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway top view of the gun sight when the windage is adjusted one degree to the left;

FIG. 10 is a partial cutaway top view of the gun sight with the windage adjusted one degree to the right;

FIG. 11 is a partial side view of the gun sight;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the gun sight along line A-A of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the gun sight;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the gun sight along the line B-B of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a partial side view of the gun sight with the windage slightly adjusted to the left;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view along the line C-C of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a partial side view of the gun sight with the windage slightly adjusted to the right; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for an improved adjustment assembly for use with a gun sight. The present invention also provides for an improved hologram carrier.

An exploded view of a gun sight 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The gun sight 10 includes a base 12 and a carrier 14. The base 12 is adapted to connect to an upper portion of the gun. The carrier 14 is pivotally mounted to the base 12 by means of a pair of dropouts 16, 16 a. The dropouts 16, 16 a (shown in FIGS. 12 and 14) connect to both the base 12 and the carrier 14. The dropouts 16, 16 a are generally planar and have apertures adapted to allow for fastening of the dropouts 16, 16 a to both the base 12 and the carrier 14.

The dropouts 16, 16 a each include a projection 17 adapted to connect with the base 12. The base 12 may also have at least one flexible receiving assembly 92, 93 (shown in FIGS. 12, 14). The flexible receiving assembly 92 facilitates a projection 17 to connect with the base 12. FIGS. 12 and 14 show two flexible receiving assemblies 92 and 93. Each flexible receiving assembly (i.e. 92 or 93) comprises at least one spring and at least one ball bearing such that the flexible receiving assembly is engaged with the projection 17 and provides freedom of movement for the carrier 14 about a generally vertical as well as a generally horizontal axis with respect to the base 12. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the flexible receiving assembly 92 comprises ball bearings 80, 82 and springs 81, 83, and the flexible receiving assembly 93 comprises ball bearings 84, 86 and springs 85, 87. The projection 17 is adapted to engage with a plurality of ball bearings 84, 86 (shown in FIGS. 7, 12, 14).

As best shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, as part of the flexible receiving assembly the ball bearings 84, 86 are positioned adjacent to a plurality of springs 85, 87 which are also mounted within the base 12. A corresponding set of ball bearings 80, 82 and springs 81, 83 are positioned on the opposite side of the gun sight 10 and connected to the carrier 16 a (such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14). The springs 85, 87 allow the carrier 14 to pivot with respect to the base 12. The dropouts 16, 16 a allow the carrier to move and have some degree of freedom in both the windage and elevation directions as the carrier 14 moves with respect to the base 12.

The dropouts 16, 16 a allow for external adjustment of the gun sight. The dropouts 16, 16 a are taller than they are wide and slightly elongated, thereby enabling the carrier a greater range of motion with respect to the base 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dropouts 16, 16 a are connected to the carrier 14 by means of a plurality of screws. The dropouts 16, 16 a connect to the carrier 14 at an upper portion of the carrier 14. The lower portion of the carrier 14 includes the projection 17 extending down from the carrier and towards the base. The projection 17 is adapted to connect with the aperture 19 of the base 12. The base 12 includes a housing portion 21 adapted to hold the ball bearings 84, 86 and the springs 85, 87.

Referring to FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the projection 17 includes small indentations 25 adapted to connect with the ball bearings 84, 86. These indentations 25 allow for the dropouts 16, 16 a to pivot and move, thereby allowing the carrier 14 to move with respect to the base.

At least two adjustment mechanisms may be provided to adjust both windage and elevation of the gun sight 10. An elevation adjustment assembly 48 is provided towards a forward end of the gun sight spaced apart from the dropouts 16, 16 a (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The elevation adjustment assembly includes an elevation drive key 50 rotatably connected to a screw portion 52. The screw portion 52 is adapted to connect with a fixed nut 54 which mounts to plate 56. Plate 56 includes ball bearings 70, 72 which allow for movement and rotation of the front end of the carrier 14. The elevation assembly 48 allows for the front end of the carrier 14 to tip down or move upwards with respect to the base 12. This tipping movement is facilitated by the dropouts 16, 16 a. The carrier 14 is adapted to pivot about the axis X (as illustrated in FIG. 7) defined by the dropouts 16, 16 a.

A set of springs 58, 60 connect the carrier 14 to the base 12. The springs 58, 60 exert a downward force on the carrier 14 thereby pulling the carrier 14 towards the base until the adjustment assembly 48 moves the carrier 14. In the present embodiment, the elevation drive key 50 is a screw. In other embodiments, the elevation drive key 50 may be a wingnut, lever, or other suitable means for turning the adjustment assembly 48.

A windage adjustment assembly 46 is provided extending through a front portion of the carrier 14. As shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 16 and 18, the windage adjustment assembly 46 generally includes a stationary nut 68 in communication with a shaft 66. A drive key 62 is provided to turn the adjustment assembly when an adjustment is required. The windage shaft 66 extends through a floating nut 65. The windage shaft 66 may include a first thread and a second thread. The first thread and the second thread provide for fine and accurate adjustment of the gun sight. The floating nut 65 is positioned adjacent to a block 71 connected to the base 12. The block 71 is fixed and adapted to rest adjacent to and provides a force against the floating nut 65. As the windage shaft 66 is turned, the floating nut 65 pushes against the block 71 thereby causing the carrier 14 to move with respect to the base 12.

A ball 73 is mounted adjacent to the spring 75. The spring 75 and the ball 73 are positioned within a pocket of the base 12. The ball 73 and spring 75 are contained within the block 71 on base 12. This configuration pushes against carrier 14 to load the system in the windage axis and also keeps the floating nut in contact with block 71 throughout the windage travel.

FIGS. 15-18 illustrate the movement of the carrier 14 with respect to the base 12 when the windage is adjusted by means of the windage adjustment assembly 46. FIG. 16 illustrates the carrier 14 pivoted one degree left about the Y axis. Similarly, FIG. 18 illustrates the carrier 14 pivoted towards the right one degree with respect to the base 12. In a similar arrangement, FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a center arrangement, a one degree to the left arrangement, and a one degree to the right arrangement when the windage adjustment apparatus 46 is adjusted.

The carrier 14 is adapted to hold a H.O.E. assembly 18. The H.O.E. assembly 18 includes a hood 30 adapted to contain the H.O.E. 32. FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the H.O.E. assembly. The H.O.E. assembly 18 includes a protective lens 42 at the front end and a second protective lens 40 at the opposite end. The protective lenses 40, 42 are positioned at the openings 41 of the hood 30. The H.O.E. 32 is contained within the hood 30. The H.O.E. 32 may be sealed within the hood 30 to protect the H.O.E. 32 from any damage and external contaminants. In the present embodiment, the H.O.E. 32 is sandwiched between two additional protective lenses 34, 36. The H.O.E. 32 and the protective lenses 34, 36 are positioned within the H.O.E. carrier 38. The H.O.E. carrier 38 may be adapted to connect with the carrier 14.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view illustrating the H.O.E. assembly 18. FIG. 4 illustrates the protective lenses 40, 42 spaced apart from the H.O.E. carrier 38, the H.O.E. 32, and corresponding protective lenses 34, 36. The present embodiment with the protective lenses 40, 42 allows for either of the protective lenses 40, 42 to be broken while still maintaining usability of the H.O.E. 32. Furthermore, both of the protective lenses 40, 42 may be broken or removed and functionality of the H.O.E. will remain intact.

In the present embodiment, the hood 30 includes an indentation 31 adapted to receive an upper portion of the H.O.E. carrier 38. In the present embodiment, the H.O.E. carrier 38 and the H.O.E. 32 are slightly inclined to communicate with a Vertical-Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) contained within the carrier 14. The indentation 31 is adapted to receive the upper portion of the H.O.E. 32 to prevent the H.O.E. 32 from significantly moving within the hood 30.

The H.O.E. of the present invention may be used in connection with a stable light source (such as discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/331,925 and 15/084,813 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference). The H.O.E., the diode and the mirror are in a fixed angular configuration with respect to one another, but may be adjusted either together or individually in a horizontal or vertical direction, or rotationally. The housing includes a transparent panel allowing light to transfer therethrough allowing the mirror, diode, and an H.O.E. to be in light communication with one another.

The approach of the present invention is to use the VCSEL as a light source which is driven in such a way that its wavelength output will remain stable (i.e. a stable light source). The wavelength of the VCSEL is controlled by controlling the current it is given. This may be done by adjusting the amplitude of the current drive signal.

The H.O.E. and the mirror may be positioned in a relative image orientation selected from reflection/transmission, reflection/reflection, transmission/reflection, and transmission/transmission. The H.O.E. and the mirror may be fixed on a hologram chassis (i.e. carrier) formed to mount both elements in a fixed relationship to each other. A base with an attachment for mounting to an upper surface of a hand held weapon may also be provided.

The invention is not restricted to the illustrative examples and embodiments described above. The embodiments are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. The methods, apparatus, compositions, and the like described herein are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An adjustable holographic gun sight comprising: a base configured to attach to a weapon; a carrier pivotally connected to the base; an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism adapted to pivot the carrier with respect to the base; and a pair of dropouts, the dropouts connecting the carrier to the base, the dropouts allowing the carrier to pivot with respect to the base, the dropouts mounted to an external portion of the carrier and the base thereby providing for external adjustment of the gun sight.
 2. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is an elevation adjustment assembly operable to pivot the carrier about a generally horizontal axis by tipping a front end of the carrier upwards or downwards with respect to the base.
 3. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 2, further comprising at least one spring positioned adjacent to the adjustment mechanism to bias the carrier in a downward direction toward the base.
 4. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 1, further comprising: at least one ball bearing disposed between the carrier and the base.
 5. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is a windage adjustment assembly operable to pivot the carrier about a generally vertical axis with respect to the base.
 6. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 5, further comprising: a stationary nut connected to the carrier, a floating nut abutting a portion of the base; and a shaft in communication with the stationary nut and engaging the floating nut for adjusting the position of the floating nut relative to the stationary nut.
 7. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 1, wherein the carrier further includes a hood housing a Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) and the hood further comprising at least one protective lens spaced apart from the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) whereby the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) remains functional even if one of the protective lenses is removed or broken.
 8. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 1, wherein the each dropout includes a projection extending generally orthogonally inwardly and is adapted to connect with the base.
 9. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 1, wherein each of the dropout engages an opposing side of the base.
 10. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises two flexible receiving assemblies having at least one ball bearing and at least one spring, each dropout having a projection extending generally orthogonally inwardly and is adapted to engage the at least one ball bearing of a respective one flexible receiving assembly, each spring biasing one of the ball bearings toward the dropout and thereby facilitating pivoting of the carrier with respect to the base and facilitating the carrier to flex relative to the base such that the carrier pivots about a generally vertical axis.
 11. A holographic gun sight comprising: a base configured to attach to a weapon; a carrier pivotally connected to the base; and a hood mounted to the base, the hood adapted to contain an Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.), the hood having an at least one protective lens spaced apart from the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) whereby the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) remains functional even if one of the protective lenses is removed or broken.
 12. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 11, wherein the hood includes an indentation adapted to hold the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.).
 13. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 12, wherein the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) is held within a Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) carrier, the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) carrier resting at least partially in the indentation of the hood.
 14. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 11, wherein the at least one protective lens comprises two protective lens spaced apart on opposing sides of the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) whereby the Holographic Optical Element (H.O.E.) remains functional even if one of the protective lenses is removed or broken.
 15. An adjustable holographic gun sight comprising: a base having a lower surface, an upper surface, and a flexible receiving assembly, the lower surface configured to engage a weapon; a carrier having a lower surface and two opposing side surfaces, the lower surface of the carrier being disposed near the upper surface of the base; a pair of dropouts connected to the side surfaces of the carrier and extending down to pivotally connect the two opposing side surfaces of the carrier to the base and allow the carrier to pivot about a generally horizontal axis with respect to the base, at least one of the dropouts having a projection extending generally orthogonally inwardly and adapted to engage the flexible receiving assembly thereby facilitating the carrier to flex relative to the base such that the carrier pivots about a generally vertical axis; an elevation adjustment assembly operable to pivot the carrier about the generally horizontal axis with respect to the base; and a windage adjustment assembly operable to pivot the carrier about the generally vertical axis with respect to the base.
 16. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 15, wherein the flexible receiving assembly further comprises at least one ball bearing engaging the projection and at least one spring biasing the at least one ball bearing toward the projection.
 17. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 15, wherein the flexible receiving assembly comprises at least two ball bearings and at least two springs, each spring biasing one of the ball bearings toward the projection for connecting the projection with the base.
 18. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 17, wherein the base comprises two flexible receiving assemblies, each projection has at least one indentation adapted to connect with the ball bearings and each projection is connected with the base through one of the flexible receiving assemblies.
 19. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 16, wherein the projection has at least one indentation adapted to engage with the at least one ball bearing.
 20. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 15, further comprising: at least one spring positioned adjacent to the elevation adjustment assembly to bias the carrier in a downward direction toward the base.
 21. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 15, further comprising: at least one ball bearing disposed between the carrier and the base.
 22. The adjustable holographic gun sight of claim 15, wherein the windage adjustment assembly further comprises a stationary nut, a shaft, a floating nut and a drive key, the stationary nut connected to one side surface of the carrier, the stationary nut engaged with the shaft and the shaft engaged to the drive key, the drive key disposed near the opposing side surface of the carrier, the shaft engaging the floating nut, the drive key operable to rotate the shaft and the floating nut abutting a portion of the base such that the rotation of the drive key causes transverse movement of floating nut which pivotally moves the carrier with respect to the base about the generally vertical axis. 